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TiO2 films obtained by the sol–gel process and doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ ions

  • Original Paper: Functional coatings, thin films and membranes (including deposition techniques)
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Abstract

The upconversion mechanism based on lanthanide ions has been studied in several systems and has been applied in various fields, such as sensors, biological markers, and photovoltaic cells. This work investigates the properties of the lanthanides Er3+ and Yb3+ doped into titanium oxide at different molar concentrations. The sol–gel methodology and the spin-coating technique were used to prepare the thin films. To promote the upward energy conversion mechanism, the materials were submitted to thermal treatment at 500 °C after the depositions. Before and after thermal treatment, the films presented 80% and 83% optical transparency above 350 nm, respectively. The X-ray diffractograms of all the films attested to the beginning of TiO2 crystallization, as evidenced by the characteristic peak of the titania phase (JCPDS # 23-1446). The emission spectra of the films excited at 980 nm exhibited the characteristic Er3+ emission bands in the green (525 and 555 nm) and red (660 nm) regions, which corresponded to the 4H11/2/4S3/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions, respectively. On the basis of the emission intensity as a function of laser power, two photons were involved in the process. The Fluorescence Intensity Ratio (FIR) indicated a rise in the local temperature, which was induced by excitation light, or the laser power.

Highlights

  • The titania films present high transparence in visible and infrared regions.

  • The system can be used to coating on the solar cells.

  • High emission in red regions of the Er3+ ion can be increase to the efficiency of the solar cells.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partially funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grants 2015/20298-0, L.A.R, and 2019/02641-0, E.J.N) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, grants 302702/2018-0, L.A.R., and 302668/2017-9, E.J.N.) are also acknowledged.

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  1. Universidade de Franca, Av. Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201 Pq. Universitário CEP, Franca, SP, 14404-600, Brazil

    Danielle C. Baldini, Emerson H. de Faria, Katia J. Ciuffi, Lucas A. Rocha & Eduardo José Nassar

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  1. Danielle C. Baldini
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  2. Emerson H. de Faria
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  5. Eduardo José Nassar
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Correspondence to Eduardo José Nassar.

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Baldini, D.C., de Faria, E.H., Ciuffi, K.J. et al. TiO2 films obtained by the sol–gel process and doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ ions. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 97, 548–555 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05465-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05465-y

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